An unusual gold-lacquer tsuzumibako (drum box) and cover


Taisho (1912-1926) or Showa (1926-1989) era, circa 1920-1940Of almost cylindrical form but with a flat base, the top and bottom of the exterior decorated with gold lacquer applied over a loosely woven fabric, the central section with a band of stylized floral and leaf ornament in gold lacquer and fine gold hirame, scattered with syllables from a poem in pewter and shell, the rims and cord fittings silver, the interior of the lid gold hirame on a black-lacquer ground with further syllables in gold hiramaki-e, the base dull gold lacquer, unsigned; with lacquered-wood tomobako storage box inscribed in gold hiramaki-e and lined in silk with a pattern of roundels. 23.5cm x 30cm x 24.4cm (9¼in x 11¾in x 9 5/8in). (3).